ICE HOCKEY: Homecoming on ice for college hockey players

By TOM LAYBURGER, For The Times Herald

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

PHILADELPHIA — Connor Varley and Chris McCarthy were among a number of local players that returned to the area last Saturday night for the second installment of the Philadelphia College Hockey Faceoff between Penn State and Vermont at the Wells Fargo Center.

McCarthy, a Collegeville native, contributed an assist in leading Vermont to 5-2 victory over Varley’s Nittany Lions. Varley hails from Lansdale.

“I had a lot of family members and a lot of friends that were here,” said McCarthy. “That makes the experience all the more enjoyable.”

It was certainly enjoyable for McCarthy and the Catamounts when they overcame an early 2-0 deficit and skated away with the victory in front of what was an announced crowd of 17,632, though there were about 8,000 actually in the house. Vermont, which is a member of Hockey East, improved to 1-1-1 on the young season. Penn State, one of six programs competing in the inaugural season of Big Ten hockey, dropped to 1-3-0.

“We got off to a slow start, but we came back and finished the job,” said McCarthy. “Getting the first win under our belt was huge and we have our home opener coming up (this weekend), which will be exciting.”

It was an exciting first couple of weeks to Penn State’s season. On Oct. 11 the Nittany Lions christened the Pegula Ice Arena with a 4-1 win over Army and the trip to Philly was a homecoming of sorts for a few team members.

“I had my mother and father, aunts and uncles, grandparents and friends here, which is real cool,” said Varley, a defenseman. “Too bad we didn’t get the outcome we wanted.”

McCarthy and Varley took different routes to arrive at where they are in college hockey. The 22-year-old McCarthy, a fifth-year senior right wing and one of Vermont’s captains, left Collegeville to play high school hockey in New England and Michigan. He also played for the U.S. National Under-18 team in 2008-09.

Though 21, Varley is in his sophomore season in Happy Valley. He played hockey as a freshman and sophomore at La Salle High before attending North Penn for his junior year. He did not play at North Penn, opting instead to suit up for the Junior Flyers with whom he traveled on weekends. He then attended Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y. to finish his prep career.

Rather than immediately go into the collegiate ranks, Varley played two seasons of junior hockey (British Columbia Hockey League and United State Hockey League) before moving on to Penn State.

It is certainly a neat time to be a Penn State hockey player with the opening of the Pegula Ice Arena and the inaugural Big Ten campaign. That means a schedule that includes conference members Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Each program was a long-time member of other conferences and brings a rich history to the Big Ten’s first season. They have combined for 23 national titles with the Wolverines’ nine leading the way and Michigan State (2007) having won the most recent.

“It is very exciting to be in the new building and to have it gives us some jump in our step,” said Varley, whose Nittany Lions competed as a Division I-A independent last season. “A big reason why we came to Penn State is that we want to play the best, so the schedule will be a great test for us and we are excited for it.”

McCarthy is excited for the opportunity to continue to help the Catamounts. After missing majority of what would have been his true junior season of 2011-12, he rebounded nicely last season by posting career highs across the board with 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points in 36 games. The effort earned him conference honorable mention recognition and he was also the recipient of the Len Ceglarski Hockey East Sportsmanship Award, an honor named after the former Boston College All-American player and legendary coach. (Ironically, McCarthy originally committed to BC.)

In addition to skating on the top line Saturday night against Penn State, McCarthy was operating from the right point on the power play and killing penalties.

“Being a senior this year (the coaches) are giving me more opportunities,” he said. “I am trying to help the team as much as possible whether it is penalty killing, power play or whatever.”

Setting up from the point with the man advantage is something he enjoys, but is still getting used to.

“I have been back there a few times and it seems to be working out well,” he said. “I don’t mind it. It’s a little different than playing down low like a typical forward, but I like it and I get to see the whole play.”

Vermont coach Kevin Sneddon appreciates McCarthy’s versatility.

“Chris is a great leader who can spark the team with his play at the right time,” he said. “He has become a very well-rounded player for us. It has been a work in progress, but it’s a credit to him because he has worked at his game. He has come a long way and is a key player in all situations.”

Though undrafted, McCarthy was invited to the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects camp last summer. It was an experience he wanted to take with him into this season.

“It was a learning experience going up there and seeing how professional they were and how professional you have to be to get to that level,” he said. “I tried to bring that back to Vermont and help other guys out.”

At Penn State, Varley feels he is part of a team that has the talent and direction to make for some special moments sooner than later.

“I think the sky is the limit,” he said when asked what his team can accomplish. “Once we iron out some things we need to work on I think we can win a Big Ten championship. Obviously, we have a lot to work on but everybody in the room believes we can do it.”